Street Reach Project Assistant

Street Reach Project Assistant

Recruitment Pack

Part-time role: 3 days per week supporting Street Reach outreach, youth engagement and building-based delivery

About Element Society

Element Society is an independent, youth-led non-profit based in Sheffield. Since 2013, we have supported more than 10,000 young people to transform their lives and communities. Through our programmes, we support young people to build the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to achieve the unbelievable.

We are a registered charity in England and Wales, a registered non-profit company, a UK Learning Provider and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Our mission

We believe in the potential of young people to shape their futures and communities. Our work is built around three simple commitments:

• Include: create spaces where all young people feel valued and connected.
• Inspire: encourage ambition, leadership and personal growth.
• Improve: equip young people with skills for the future.

Our impact

• Over 10,000 young people supported through our programmes.
• 250,000+ volunteer hours dedicated to social action in Sheffield.
• 65% of participants are from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee backgrounds.

What we offer

Our work includes personal development, social action and volunteering, creative and cultural programmes, education and skills development, health and wellbeing support, youth voice and targeted engagement activity.

Who we work with

Element Society welcomes all young people. We also run focused activity for young people facing additional barriers, including SEND, poverty, care experience, displacement, mental health challenges, exclusion, isolation, or being outside education, employment or training.

Role summary

Working pattern

Working hours will vary so that the postholder is available when young people are available. The role may include evening, weekend and school holiday work, including outreach, sessions, workshops, trips and project activity.

Role focus

• 3 days per week supporting Street Reach outreach, youth engagement and building-based delivery.
• The postholder will work directly with young people and support practical session delivery, follow-up, registers, evidence capture and safe activity.
• This role is not being scaled to full time. It remains a focused part-time Street Reach delivery post.

Job purpose

The Street Reach Project Assistant will support the delivery of outreach, youth engagement and building-based activities across the Street Reach programme.

The role is practical, active and people-focused. The postholder will help build positive relationships with young people, support sessions and outreach, encourage young people into safe and positive activity, and help the wider team keep delivery organised and well recorded.

The role needs someone reliable, approachable, organised and confident working with young people. The postholder must be willing to support delivery directly, complete basic records accurately, follow safeguarding procedures and help create a welcoming environment at Element Society.

Key responsibilities

Street Reach delivery support

• Support outreach sessions, youth activities and building-based engagement work.
• Help young people feel welcome, safe and able to take part in positive activity.
• Support practical delivery tasks including room set-up, registers, resources, equipment and session clear-down.
• Encourage young people to access activities, opportunities and support services.
• Work closely with the Youth Projects Co-Ordinator, Youth Engagement and Projects Officer, sessional workers, volunteers and specialist providers.
• Represent Street Reach and Element Society positively in the building and in community settings.

Young people and relationships

• Build positive, trusted and professional relationships with young people.
• Listen to young people and encourage participation, confidence and belonging.
• Support young people from a range of backgrounds, including those who may face barriers to participation.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Help identify young people who may need additional support or follow-up and share concerns with the appropriate colleague.

Activities, workshops and trips

• Support group sessions, workshops, informal youth activities, events and trips.
• Help prepare materials, equipment, refreshments and spaces for delivery.
• Support young people during activities and encourage positive behaviour and participation.
• Contribute practical ideas that make sessions more engaging, inclusive and accessible.

Monitoring, records and impact

• Help maintain accurate attendance and engagement records.
• Support the capture of young people’s feedback, achievements and positive outcomes.
• Complete registers, basic paperwork and administrative tasks promptly and accurately.
• Use email, shared documents, spreadsheets or other simple digital systems as required.
• Treat data protection, confidentiality and information security seriously.

Safeguarding and professional practice

• Work within Element Society’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
• Put the welfare of children and young people before the success of any project or activity.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns promptly.
• Follow health and safety procedures, risk assessments and professional guidance.
• Complete required training, including safeguarding and first aid where required.

Teamwork and communication

• Work as part of a wider delivery team across Street Reach.
• Communicate clearly with colleagues, young people, families, volunteers and partners where appropriate.
• Share relevant information with colleagues so young people receive consistent support.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, training and project reviews as required.
• Raise risks, concerns or delivery issues promptly.

Person specification

Applicants should use the application form to show clear examples of how they meet the criteria below.

Personal qualities

• Active, practical and delivery-focused.
• Approachable and confident with young people.
• Reliable and organised.
• Calm under pressure.
• Good at listening and building trust.
• Able to encourage young people without being pushy.
• Flexible and willing to adapt.
• Culturally sensitive and accepting of difference.
• Comfortable working in both community and building-based settings.
• Committed to safeguarding and high standards.

Safeguarding

Element Society is committed to safeguarding children and young people to the highest standards. Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s responsibility at the charity.

Due to the nature of this role, we can only accept applications from applicants aged 18 or over. Any offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory references, completion of mandatory training and an enhanced DBS check funded by Element Society.

The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are the first priority. Children’s and young people’s welfare is paramount.

Application process

Application form, interview and references.

Please note that we do not accept CVs. Applicants should complete the Element Society application form and use the “reasons for applying” section to give clear examples against the role description and person specification.

Application form guidance

The application form asks applicants to provide personal details, right to work information, employment history, education and training, two suitable referees and a written statement explaining how they meet the role criteria.

• References should usually be from a current or recent line manager, supervisor, employer, college or university contact. References from relatives or personal friends are not accepted.
• Applicants should explain any gaps in employment since leaving secondary education.
• The “reasons for applying” section should give specific examples linked to the job description and person specification.
• Shortlisted candidates will be asked about interview availability and may be asked to provide evidence of right to work and relevant qualifications.
• This post involves work with children and young people, so safer recruitment checks, safeguarding declarations and an enhanced DBS check are part of the process.

Contact

For application queries, more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact:

Element Society

Yorkshire House, 66 Leopold Street, Sheffield, S1 2GZ

Email: jobs@elementsociety.co.uk

Telephone: 0114 2999 214

Website: www.elementsociety.co.uk/jobs/

Equal opportunities and data

Element Society welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to inclusive, fair and safer recruitment practice. Information provided through the application process will be used to assess suitability for the role and to support recruitment administration in line with UK data protection law.